I came across this forum while searching for options on repairing our pool/Kool Deck that was installed November 2012. Within a week, the concrete cracked resulting in chipped/flaking Kool Deck. This was our number one concern when choosing a deck, but our builder assured us that if applied correctly, Kool Deck will not crack/flake, and said that he had not had a problem with this in his 20+ years experience. However, when he came to look at the problem, he said of course you understand that the cracked concrete is what caused this and that is out of my control. (Concrete slab was freshly poured as part of brand new deck) The largest crack runs 10 feet long from brick coping all the way down the side of the deck to the dirt ground. It runs parallel to an expansion joint - about 9 inches away. The Kool Deck is chipping/flaking off along this crack. The other two cracks are not as large; however, one of them spans across an expansion joint, affecting two sections. Our builder offered to chisel off the Kool Deck and cut out the concrete and redo that small section (cutting an inch to the other side of the crack and creating a new expansion joint between 10 -12 inches from the other joint). He did not offer to fix the other two places. I do not like this solution at all! We haven't even used our pool yet! Braindead, what did you end up doing? I just don't understand how one can spend almost $100K with a 100% guarantee on workmanship and end up in this predicament.

Great forum! I have decided to let those cans of Penofin lie dormant in my garage and go with a new product. I was considering TWP as George and Eddie at East Teak recommend. For me that is going to the dark side as I believe once you go for the sealer there is not turning back! Then the "Zodic" appears! Im looking at saving labor so this is very appealing! Quick question for both Obi Won and Darth TWP: Can I mop off the excess with a sponge mop instead of getting non hands an knees with Rags? With "Zodic", will I need two coats to get started? Can I spray on TWP on my Ipe Furniture and wipe off with rag? Ken, your saying we can use "zodic" on wood just a few hours after "Rad" treatment??? When is the "Zodic" site going to be ready? Bottom line is more competition means more choices! Thanks to all again for the great info on this site!

Well You all know I had to chime in..... I have been following the forum for about a year as we are looking for a product for our deck. We are in Vegas and DH is in the business. This is NOT a solicitation, I assume you have your own PB. Spraydeck - many brands, definitely cool enough in 110, warm but not hot A few different techniques to install it, best to go see the installers jobs or samples to see what you are getting as far as design and look of his brand. Pavers - NPT carries Artistic, Gothicstone and Durango pavers. Supposedly they are cool enough to walk on, I haven't tried them myself. They are gorgeous. Pricey too. NPT is in the SW area of town. I am looking at a natural stone product here, it is lighter in color and have a sample out in the sun as we speak. It is warmer than my old "kooldeck", but we have hit high 90's in the last few days and this stone is still in the running. I don't have a price on it, but DH says it is less than the NPT pavers.It looks like rough cut pavers, random sizes. Thin pavers - these go over old concrete and I have put samples out for a week in 105+ heat. The lighter colors are cool enough to walk on, made with white concrete. You dont need these, they are for pool re-do, although I guess in Fla they use them over sand for new pools too. Just comes down to budget for me, as well as being cool. I don't want to have to wear flip flops to get to my pool. Hope this helps, Barb

There is a lot of information here. I hope maybe I can give a few insights into what I know about the subject of ipe and other Amazonian hardwoods. Ipe is not really that good for ground contact. It will rot with direct contact with the soil in our climate here in Amazonia. It is has not been used much as a choice for fence posts for this reason. But, if it is not in contact with the soil it will pretty much last forever. At least longer than most of us will be on the planet. The prime woods used here for fence posts are Itauba, angelim vermelho, pequia, and a few other lesser known species. Massaranduba also known as Brazilian redwood is a very good wood for outdoor non ground contact uses as well. By not being good for ground contact I mean it will not last much more than 10 years. While some of the above may be fine for 50 years. Ipe has been one of the prime flooring woods used for probably 300 years or more in Brazil. It is the equivalent to oak in flooring applications in Southern Brazil. The big advantage to ipe is the stability when air dried. There are few species that move as little as ipe. It also does not surface check very much. About 20 years ago or so they used to make prefab country homes for use in Southern Brazil out of ipe to a large degree. As the cost increased they switched to garapa and other cheaper and more abundant woods. In the area I work we have a lot of Massaranduba and Europe is the major consumer. The Europeans use the antislip profile on boards which hides defects somewhat. And, they do not use wood finishes much from what I understand. In addition the climate in Northern Europe is more humid and stable than most of the USA which is better for Massaranduba. If Massaranduba is properly dried it is fine in any climate. Ipe has gotten very expensive in Brazil and I think it is time for the USA market to look seriously at other wood species for decking. Which has been happening. This is also better for sustainable forest management as it uses the resource better and helps preserve the standing forest. Here are a few pictures of Massaranduba being sawn into deck blanks which were shipped to Holland to be milled into decking there. Hopefully some will find it interesting to see where the material comes from. Massaranduba logs on the sawmill line. Massaranduba being sawn. A massaranduba log. You can see the red color. The tree has a high latex content and is mixed into natural rubber in some places to enhance quality of the mixture. The white streaks is the latex from the bark of the tree. The boards which are 32 MM X 155 MM are cut to length. For Europe that is every foot from 7 feet up to 20 feet. Being packed for shipment. Here is an order of rough sawn ipe going to the USA.